Disclosure: I was compensated for doing this post with product. However, all the opinions stated here are my own. I only use products I love and would recommend to my viewers.
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Summer is here and the time is right for fixing up our outdoor spaces. You all know where I'm gong with this. Yes, in between melting from the heat wave I've also been working on my balcony.

I have a huge outdoor space that needed to be filled up. So far I've made my super easy pallet couch but I also wanted to add ambiance. Today I'm going to share with you how I upcycled it, added a bit of character and gave new life to a chalkboard stand.

This wooden chalk board was in serious need of a makeover if it was going to make an appearance on my balcony. First of all, it had a sticker on the top that I removed. You can see the discoloration below. And secondly, it had that orange plastic piece that would not come out. It was an ad for an orange drink. Obviously something had to be done with it.

Oh and I should point out that this was another "gift" left behind by my former tenants instead of the rent. As you can see I let nothing go to waste. I had a few more gifts from them including the lattice from the colorful fence.

What I used for this project:

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Soldier Blue

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Driftwood

acrylic craft paint in white, green and red

Daddy Van's Lavender Bee's Wax

Sandpaper

​Blackboard Paint

masking tape

​paint brushes

​2 knobs and 2 hooks (optional)

The How - To:

The first step was to clean this dirty stand. I used a mixture of vinegar and water. I then taped off the wood from the blackboard portion.

Once it was dry I mixed my Old Fashioned Milk Paint. I always use the SafePaint version so as to not get a chippy look. I wanted a softer blue so I mixed a little bit of the driftwood into the soldier blue. I ended up putting 3 coats of paint.
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I sanded it down to make it nice and smooth. As you can see from the photos, it was full of imperfections and instead of trying to hide them I decided to embrace them and really show them off. So I distressed them to the point where you could not ignore them. A bit of rustic charm never hurt anyone.

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The next step was to add Daddy Van's all Natural Beeswax and Lavender Furniture Polish.

​Now it was as smooth as a baby's bottom. And whenever any friends come over I immediately drag them over and have them cop a feel. It is that soft and smooth. ​

I applied blackboard paint to the chalkboard to give it a fresh up. It was full of some sort of permanent chalk. Of course we didn't want that.

And finally to take care of those orange plastic pieces on the bottom. They were not coming out easily so instead of fighting with them I just painted over them using the same blue paint mixture. No more orange drink ads!

​ I then asked my sweet daughter to help me. She painted one side...
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This is her version of a white and red flower and vine.
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And on the other side was my version. These were done using acrylic craft paints.
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This is the one side...
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And this is the other side, where I've hung a simple wreath.
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It looks great in the evening when the lanterns are lit. ​

So you can see that even when life hands me oranges, I always find a way to turn them into orangeade or in this case pretty flowers! The chalkboard stand had been left outside for over a year but I still wanted to give it a new life. I think I've succeeded very well in upcycling this piece and turned a bad situation into something positive.

Now when I look at it I think of how pretty my balcony is going to be when it is all done and I can share that with you all. Now do tell what would you have done with something like this?

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LOL Mary, can I come over a cop a feel? I've been hearing so much about Daddy Van's Natural Beeswax lately, but I can't find seem to find it here in South Africa. Your de-oranged chalk board stand turned out great btw. That blue is so pretty and it's the perfect spot to show case your lanterns too

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Mary

7/4/2017 11:32:06 am

When I did this I made the chalkboard first and then I decided to make some lanterns to add to it.

I love chalk boards. When I entertain I love writing on them in different fonts. The paint colors blend well together. Thats a pretty large size chalk board. I think its perfect for writing cool stuff on it and displaying outdoors on your porch.
Maria

Reply

Mary

7/4/2017 11:34:05 am

I'm gonna have to write something on there. I was so busy working on the actual project I forgot the fun part

Mary, this is so pretty! I love the art work you & your daughter did! The furniture knobs are also a nice touch. Can you write on the blackboard too? I'm sure you'll get around to seasoning that. Gee, I wish someone would leave me a "gift" like this! Haha, at least you got something out of the bummer tenants. I love the fact that it's a stand, so you can change up your displays & move it around easily. I love that cocomat backdrop or whatever that is. I'm sure it's great for helping to block out that strong Greek sun.

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Mary

7/4/2017 11:42:36 am

Florence at least I got this stuff. And I turned them into things that make me happy! I will have to draw something on it. I was so busy painting that I forgot to do that. Haha!

The background is just a vinyl tablecloth that was tacked onto pieces of plywood to keep out the sun and the nosey neighbors. ;)

A perfect spot to hang your awesome tea light jars. How fun to have a chalkboard stand on your balcony - just think of all the fun any silly messages you and your family can leave for one another. Love the color you painted it!

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Mary

7/11/2017 02:12:54 pm

It is so hot here now, when I go to the balcony in the evening I just collapse on the couch... with the wine bottle next to me. ;) But yes I need to write something on that board.

Mary I love chalkboards and yours is so pretty with the beautiful painted flowers on it! I also love that it´s standing on it´s own, it can divide spaces or just add a lot of fun like it is! Your little lights and wreath look lovely on it!

Reply

Mary

7/11/2017 02:20:36 pm

Katrin that is exactly why we kept it. It is like a small divider in the space where we have it. I will show the space soon.

I love the chalkboard and how you and your daughter painted the same thing. You will have such fun writing and drawing on it. I also like how you made it into a backdrop for the tealights. But what really made me laugh is how you have all of your friends "cop a feel".

Reply

Mary

7/11/2017 02:39:44 pm

That is going to be our private joke from now on Debra! But I'm sure you know exactly what I mean since you are also an OFMP fan.

I love how this turned out Mary! I'm sorry that your former tenants skipped out on the rent, but looks like you made the most of a bad situation. By turning the trash they left behind into treasures. You and your daughter both did a great job on the flowers and vine. I bet this looks so pretty in your outdoors space. I love how you made it where you can hang your pretty lanterns. Your outdoor space is coming along beautifully!

Reply

Mary

7/11/2017 02:49:45 pm

Thanks Linda. I am looking forward to photographing the balcony to share with all of you soon.

Hi Mary!
I like your new chalkboard and I'm thinking that this summer, in the evening, when friends come over for a little evening gathering coming up your backstairs... Have this up at the top as the entrance onto your deck. Candles in jars around the patio on little tables, next to your new seating benches. Hang a few twinkle lights or some cute lights on wire crisscrossing above and your patio will look marvelous!!! Have a little more blues out on the patio to bring your whole look together... It's going to be a fabulous party and I wish I were over there visiting! Could feel just like Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis visiting your lovely home!

xoxo Barb :)

Reply

Mary

7/11/2017 05:59:44 pm

Ohh Barb you have created such a lovely vision of my balcony. I love all of the details you have added. I only hope I can do half of them. I will be posting about the completed balcony space soon.

This turned out so sweet Mary :) The blue is just perfection and I couldn't stop laughing when I read "cop a feel". I definitely understand that though when visitors come by and you want to show them your latest project!

Reply

Mary

7/11/2017 06:13:20 pm

Haha! Poor visitors I am probably scaring them away, because I insist that they feel the furniture. I guess only we crazy DIY bloggers do these sorts of things.

Hi Mary, you've done it again! You've managed to something out of nothing. I think it's easy to see where your daughter gets her artistic side from. I couldn't draw a flower if my life depended on it.

xx

Reply

Mary

7/12/2017 11:05:36 am

Aww don't say that Debbie. I couldn't have done it either till I started and then I realized that I could. Does that make sense? Just like with photography you weren't always the great photographer you have become over time. :)

It turned out great! I love anything chalkboard, and you did an excellent job breathing new life into this one!

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Welcome

I'm Mary and I recently moved to New York from beautiful Greece. I like to re-purpose and up-cycle anything that is old or looks like junk. Join me as we use our creativity to spark some life into old things. And do it frugally! You will also see lots of photography of my Greece and New York.

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